WO2000010218A1 - Battery charger - Google Patents
Battery charger Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2000010218A1 WO2000010218A1 PCT/US1999/018437 US9918437W WO0010218A1 WO 2000010218 A1 WO2000010218 A1 WO 2000010218A1 US 9918437 W US9918437 W US 9918437W WO 0010218 A1 WO0010218 A1 WO 0010218A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- battery
- circuit
- type
- switch means
- power switch
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J7/0029—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries with safety or protection devices or circuits
- H02J7/0031—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries with safety or protection devices or circuits using battery or load disconnect circuits
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J7/00032—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by data exchange
- H02J7/00038—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by data exchange using passive battery identification means, e.g. resistors or capacitors
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J7/00032—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by data exchange
- H02J7/00038—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by data exchange using passive battery identification means, e.g. resistors or capacitors
- H02J7/00041—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by data exchange using passive battery identification means, e.g. resistors or capacitors in response to measured battery parameters, e.g. voltage, current or temperature profile
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J7/00047—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries with provisions for charging different types of batteries
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J7/0029—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries with safety or protection devices or circuits
- H02J7/00302—Overcharge protection
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J2207/00—Indexing scheme relating to details of circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J2207/40—Indexing scheme relating to details of circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J7/0029—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries with safety or protection devices or circuits
- H02J7/00308—Overvoltage protection
Definitions
- the present invention relates to battery chargers and, more particularly, to an improved battery charger and battery charging circuit.
- a typical battery charger includes a battery charging circuit which is connectable to a power source and to a rechargeable battery and which is operable to charge the battery.
- One of the problems with some existing battery chargers is that the battery charging circuit does not operate continuously on different sources of AC power.
- Another problem with some existing battery chargers is that the battery charging circuit does not provide charge current to the batteries as efficiently as possible.
- the present invention provides a battery charger that alleviates the problems with existing battery chargers.
- the invention provides a battery charger for charging different types of batteries and capable of operating on alternate sources of AC power.
- the invention provides a battery charging circuit which will not operate if one of the power source, the battery, the power switch means and the control means (including the Microcontroller) malfunctions.
- the invention provides a battery charging circuit in which the battery under charge supplies power to operate the circuit and the Microcontroller.
- the invention provides a battery charger comprising a battery charging circuit electrically connectable to a power source and to a battery and operable to charge the battery, the circuit including power switch means operable to provide power from the power source to charge the battery, and control means for operating the circuit, the control means being electrically connected to the circuit and providing a control signal to the power switch means to control the power switch means, the power source, the battery, the power switch means and the control means being electrically connectable by the circuit so that, when one of the power source, the battery, the power switch means and the control means malfunctions, the circuit does not operate to charge the battery.
- the circuit electrically connects the power source, the battery, the power switch means and the control means in series.
- the invention provides a method of charging a battery, the method comprising the acts of providing the battery charger, connecting the battery charger to the power source, connecting the battery to the battery charger, electrically connecting the power source, the battery, the power switch means and the Microcontroller so that, when the battery is connected to the circuit, if one of the power source, the battery, the power switch means and the Microcontroller malfunctions, the circuit will not operate to charge the battery, charging the battery, monitoring the circuit to determine when one of the power source, the battery, the power switch means and the Microcontroller malfunctions, and, if one of the power source, the battery, the power switch means and the Microcontroller malfunctions, preventing the circuit from charging the battery.
- the act of electrically connecting the power source, the battery, the power switch means and the Microcontroller includes electrically connecting the power source, the battery, the power switch means and the control means in series.
- the invention provides a battery charger comprising a battery charging circuit connectable to a power source and to a battery and operable to charge the battery, and a Microcontroller electrically connected to and for operating the circuit, the battery, when connected to the circuit, supplying power to operate the Microcontroller.
- the invention provides a method for operating the battery charger, the method comprising the acts of providing a battery, connecting the battery to the battery charging circuit, and supplying power from the battery to the Microcontroller to operate the Microcontroller.
- the invention provides a software program for operating the battery charger.
- One advantage of the present invention is that the battery charger will operate continuously on alternate sources of AC power, such as alternators, generators, inverters and welders.
- Another advantage of the present invention is that the battery charging circuit provides charge current to the batteries as efficiently as possible.
- a further advantage of the present invention is that the battery charger is able to charge both types of Nickel battery chemistries in the same charger.
- Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the battery charger is able to charge both types of Nickel battery chemistries without any special identification schemes and/or electronic components.
- Another advantage of the present invention is that the power supply, power switch means, battery and Microcontroller are connected in a circuit such that, if any one of these components fails, the battery charging circuit will shut down.
- a further advantage of the present invention is that the battery being charged provides power to the low voltage supply which, in turn, steps down and regulates a low voltage supply to the Microcontroller.
- the Microcontroller includes integrated components which perform many of the required functions of the battery charger, reducing the cost and complexity of the battery charger.
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a battery charger embodying the present invention.
- Figs. 2A and 2B are block diagrams of portions of the battery charger and portions of a battery charging circuit.
- Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the portions of the battery charging circuit illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B.
- Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the battery charging circuit illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B.
- a battery charger 10 embodying the invention is illustrated in Fig. 1, in a block diagram in Figs. 2A and 2B and schematically in Fig. 3.
- the battery charger 10 is connectable to any type of AC power source (not shown), such as an alternator, generator, inverter or a welder, to charge a battery 14.
- the battery 14 may be any voltage from 9.6 V to 18 V and may be any type of battery.
- the battery 14 is a Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) or a Nickel- Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery.
- the battery charger 10 includes a housing 16 supporting the battery 14 and a battery charging circuit 18 which is connectable to the power source and to the battery and which is operable to charge the battery 14.
- the battery charging circuit 18 includes an EMI filter circuit 22 (capacitor
- the battery charging circuit 18 further includes a bridge rectifier 26 (diodes D1-D4) which rectifies or converts the alternating current (AC) and the voltage passing through the EMI filter circuit 22 into direct current (DC) and the voltage required for the creation of the charging current for the battery 14.
- An input filter 30 (capacitor Cl) filters or smoothens out the DC voltage (ripple) created by the AC to DC rectification function of the bridge rectifier 26.
- the battery charging circuit 18 also includes a "buck regulator".
- the buck regulator includes power switch means 34 (i.e., a MOSFET transistor Ql), a rectifier (diode D7), an inductor (LI), and the battery 14 under charge.
- the power switch means 34 is electrically connected to the input filter 30 (node A to node B) and functions like a mechanical on/off switch, except under electronic control. It should be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), another electronic switching component, such as, for example, a relay or a SCR switch, or a mechanical switch could be included in the power switch means 34.
- the rectifier (D7) "free wheels” or conducts completing the circuit when the power switch means 34 turns off.
- the power switch means 34 applies or turns off current and voltage to the inductor (LI).
- the inductor (LI) has magnetic properties that work together with the capacitive properties of the battery 14 to store energy during the time the power switch means 34 is off.
- the battery charging circuit 18 also includes a current sense comparator circuit 46 (resistors R18, R17, capacitor CIO, resistor R19, capacitors C16, C9, resistors R16, R15) to measure the battery charge current and provide information to a Microcontroller (Ul) (electrically connected via node C to node D).
- the Microcontroller (Ul) is a programmable, integrated component which consolidates and controls many of the functions of the battery charger 10.
- the Microcontroller (Ul) monitors the status of the battery 14 before, during and after charging and monitors and controls the operation of the battery charging circuit 18 by outputting a control signal to the buck regulator before, during and after charging.
- the battery charging circuit 18 also includes a battery disconnect circuit 54 (resistors R4, R5, transistor Q7, resistors R30, R31, transistor Q8) which disengages the battery charger control circuit if the battery charger 10 is unplugged or if the line voltage is too low.
- An over voltage shutdown circuit 58 (transistor Q6, resistor R13, transistor Q3, capacitor C21) turns off the power switch means 34 when an over voltage condition exists on the output of the inductor (LI).
- the power source, the battery 14, the power switch means 34 and the Microcontroller (Ul) are electrically connected by the battery charging circuit 18 so that, when the battery 14 is connected to the battery charging circuit 18, if any one of the power source, the battery 14, the power switch means 34 and the Microcontroller (Ul) malfunction, the battery charging circuit 18 will not operate to charge the battery 14.
- the battery charging circuit 18 also includes a low voltage supply circuit 62 (resistor R29, capacitor C5, voltage regulator VR1, capacitors C8, C12) which steps down, regulates and provides a low voltage supply to power the control circuits and, specifically, the Microcontroller (Ul) (electrically connected via node E to node F).
- a voltage tripler circuit 66 (resistors R7, R8, capacitors C2, C3, C4, diodes D8, D9, D10) creates a low voltage power supply which is dependent on the Microcontroller (Ul).
- the voltage tripler circuit 66 supplies power to a switch driver circuit 70 (MOSFET driver U2, diode D6, capacitor C7, diode D5, resistor R3, diodes D12, D13, resistor R6).
- the switch driver circuit 70 outputs a drive signal to turn the power switch means 34 (electrically connected via node G to node H) on or off on reception of a control signal from the Microcontroller (Ul).
- the switch driver circuit 70 also transforms and conditions the control signal from the Microcontroller (Ul) to the required state and level for the power switch means 34.
- a thermistor sense circuit 74 (resistors R22, R23, R32, transistor Q9) provides a means for identifying the type of battery 14 (i.e., NiCd or NiMH) connected to the battery charging circuit 18.
- the thermistor sense circuit 74 senses and conditions the thermistor signal from a NiCd battery or a NiMH battery for application (the identification signal) to the Microcontroller (Ul) (electrically connected via node I to node J and node K to node L).
- a battery voltage A/D circuit 78 (resistor R27, transistor Q5, resistors R24, R25, capacitor C14, resistor Rll) works together with the Microcontroller (Ul) to form a voltage conversion function.
- the battery voltage A/D circuit 78 is electrically connected to the battery 14 (node M to node N).
- a user interface circuit 82 (light emitting diode LED, resistor Rl) provides feedback to the user on the status of the battery charger 10 and the battery charging process.
- the EMI filter 22 (capacitor C6, inductor L2), bridge rectifier 26 (diodes D1-D4) and input filter 30 (capacitor Cl), provide a standard way of converting AC line power to a "DC Bus" voltage used as an input to the buck regulator (the power switch means 34, the rectifier (diode D7), the inductor (LI) and the battery 14).
- the power switch means 34 i.e., MOSFET transistor Ql
- MOSFET transistor Ql MOSFET transistor Ql
- the inductor (LI) establishes a rise time and, at a pre-determined peak level, the power switch means 34 is shut off.
- the rectifier (diode D7) conducts, or “free wheels” providing the closed loop consisting of the rectifier (diode D7), the inductor (LI), and the battery 14.
- inductor (LI) to discharge its stored energy into the battery 14.
- the current decays down to a pre-determined minimum level at which point the power switch means 34 is turned back on, and the charging cycle is repeated.
- the on/off levels of current are determined by hysteretic control of the current sense comparator circuit 46 (resistors R18, R17, capacitor CIO, resistor
- the Microcontroller (Ul) contains an integrated comparator which is used to perform this function along with the other circuit components.
- the output of the comparator is "gated" within the Microcontroller (Ul) to allow for control and monitoring of the power circuit (EMI Filter 22, bridge rectifier 26, input filter 30, power switch means 34, inductor (LI), rectifier (diode D7)).
- the Microcontroller (Ul) controls the power circuit to implement a circuit turn on delay, a circuit turn off for battery voltage and temperature measurement, and charge termination. Power circuit monitoring is also performed by the Microcontroller (Ul) to check for correct on time and frequency of the power switch means 34.
- the gated signal of the comparator is in the form of a constantly varying pulse train which serves to regulate the on-time of power switch means 34 which, in turn, regulates charge current.
- the components of the circuit 66 function as a voltage tripler. This is accomplished by receiving two separate complementary outputs from the Microcontroller (Ul) operating at a fixed 50% duty cycle and frequency.
- the voltage tripler circuit 66 creates a low voltage power supply of sufficient level that is dependent on the
- MOSFET driver circuit 70 The complementary 5 V DC square wave signals from the Microcontroller (Ul) are capacitively coupled as a result of this tripler circuit providing a 13 V DC level (15 V DC minus three diode drops D8-D10).
- This method provides a robust way of fault protection.
- the software controls the fixed frequency square wave outputs. If for any reason the Microcontroller (Ul) malfunctions, glitches or latches up, and causes the software program to stop running or to run erratically, the square waves would stop or vary
- the tripler output voltage (seen at capacitor C4) would decay and fall below a voltage threshold determined by the MOSFET driver (U2), thus turning off the power switch means 34 and the charge current.
- This voltage tripler method relies only on a 50% duty cycle running square wave and is also frequency dependent. If the Microcontroller (Ul) ran at a faster clock rate, the voltage tripler circuit 66 would also droop and cause a shutdown. Additionally, the voltage tripler circuit 66 can only supply a certain amount of power.
- the MOSFET switch driver (U2) operates at too high of a frequency or for too long of an on-time, the tripler level (seen at capacitor C4) would be depleted and again the power switch means 34 would be turned off and the charge current would be terminated.
- the voltage tripler circuit 66 supplies power to the switch driver circuit 70 or high side MOSFET driver circuit 70 (MOSFET driver U2, diode D6, capacitor
- the high side switch driver circuit 70 supplies the needed gate voltage for the power switch means 34. This voltage needs to be higher than the "DC Bus" voltage seen at the inductor (LI) by approximately 10 V DC. So, in effect, the power switch means 34 gate voltage is stacked on top of the DC voltage at the inductor (LI) by 10 V. This allows the power switch means 34 to become fully enhanced or turned on.
- the MOSFET driver (U2) has its own charge pump function to accomplish the task of taking the voltage tripler voltage and stacking it on the "DC Bus" voltage (diode D6, capacitor C7).
- the MOSFET driver (U2) also has under voltage and over current protection and a fault output signal which is fed back to the Microcontroller (Ul).
- Resistors (R3, RIO) set the rise and fall time of the power switch means 34 to help control switching losses.
- Resistor (R6) is a current sensing resistor to provide additional MOSFET protection (i.e., poor power quality, surges, etc.).
- the low voltage supply circuit 62 (resistor R29, capacitor C5, voltage regulator VR1, capacitors C8, C20) provides regulated 5 V DC power to the Microcontroller (Ul) and external control circuitry (the current sense comparator circuit 46, the battery disconnect circuit 54, the low voltage supply circuit 62, the voltage tripler circuit 66, the switch driver circuit 70, the thermistor sense circuit 74, the battery voltage A/D circuit 78 and the user interface 82).
- the power supplied to the input of the low voltage supply circuit 62 is provided by the battery 14 being charged.
- the battery disconnect circuit 54 disengages the battery charger control circuit (the Micrcontroller (Ul) and the external control circuitry) if the battery charger 10 is unplugged or if the line voltage is too low. This prevents the battery 14 from discharging if it is left in the battery charger 10 and the AC line voltage goes to zero or if the battery charger 10 is unplugged. Additionally, the battery charger 10 draws only mWatts of power from the AC input when no battery is connected to the battery charger 10.
- the over voltage shutdown circuit 58 (transistor Q6, resistor R13, transistor Q3, capacitor C21) turns off the power switch means 34 when an over voltage condition exists on the output of the inductor (LI).
- the over voltage shut down circuit 58 is electrically connected to the switch driver circuit 70 (node O to node P). An over voltage condition can occur when a battery 14 is removed from the battery charging circuit 18 during charging and/or under a fault condition.
- the over voltage shut down circuit 58 turns the power switch means 34 off via the switch driver circuit 70 by "clamping" the control signal from the Microcontroller (Ul) off.
- Microcontroller The function of Microcontroller (Ul) is to reside as the "heart" of the battery charger 10.
- the Microcontroller (Ul) is programmable and operates to provide five main functions: identify the battery 14 prior to charge; monitor and control the power circuit and the charge current applied to the battery 14; determine the voltage of the battery 14 while charging; determine the temperature of the battery 14 before, during, and after charge; and signal to the user the charging state of the battery charger 10.
- the battery voltage A/D circuit 78 converts the analog battery voltage into a digital representation to be processed by the Microcontroller (Ul). It is based on a dual slope analog to digital converter technique, whereby a capacitor (C14) is charged for a fixed period of time from a known voltage reference (integration) and then discharged to the same known voltage reference (de-integration). The time for the capacitor (C14) to discharge to the reference is measured by the Microcontroller (Ul) and converted into a battery voltage.
- the thermistor sense circuit 74 (resistors R22, R23, R32, transistor Q9) conditions and provides the ability to apply and remove a voltage source needed to measure the NiCd and NiMH battery thermistor resistance. Due to the fact that the NiCd and NiMH batteries have different thermistor resistance values, the voltage drop created across the thermistor when the voltage source is applied to the battery 14 is different. The voltage drop is measured by the on board A/D converter in the Microcontroller (Ul), and the result is compared against calculated values stored in the Microcontroller (Ul). The result of the comparisons yield the ability to determine the battery chemistry (NiCd or NiMH), the temperature of the battery 14, and whether or not the thermistor is open or shorted.
- the user interface 82 (light emitting diode LED, resistor Rl) signals to the user the charging state of the battery charger 10.
- the user interface 82 is in the form of a light emitting diode (LED) device.
- the states of the LED are “Off, "On”, and “Flashing”.
- the LED is “Off when no battery is present, when the battery charger 10 is ready for charge, when charging is complete, or during maintenance charging.
- the LED is “On” during charging.
- the LED is “Flashing” when the battery 14 is too hot or too cold to charge.
- the battery 14 is inserted into the battery charger 10.
- the voltage regulator (VR1) and associated circuitry turn on and provide regulated 5 V DC to the Microcontroller (Ul).
- the Microcontroller (Ul) initializes a start up sequence. After a delay, the voltage tripler circuit 66 pumps up to its steady state level of approximately 13 V DC causing the MOSFET driver (U2) to come out of undervoltage lock out.
- the Microcontroller (Ul) gates the charge current comparator "on” and a 5 VD C signal (leading edge) is supplied to the MOSFET driver (U2) which in turn provides a 12 V signal from gate to source on the power switch means 34 (i.e., the MOSFET transistor Ql).
- the power switch means 34 turns on, starting current flow through inductor (LI) and into the battery 14.
- the thermistor sense circuit 74 identifies the type of battery 14 (i.e., NiCd or NiMH) connected to the battery charging circuit 18, based on the thermistor value of the battery 14.
- the thermistor sense circuit 74 provides the battery type identification signal to the Microcontroller (Ul) so that the Microcontroller (Ul) can control the battery charging circuit 18 to charge the battery 14 in an appropriate manner for the given battery type.
- the current sense comparator circuit 46 monitors the current levels and appropriately turns the power switch means 34 on and off, regulating the current.
- the voltage tripler circuit 66 replenishes the charge on capacitor (C4) keeping the necessary voltage levels up.
- the Microcontroller (Ul) monitors voltage and temperature of the battery 14 to terminate the charging process at the appropriate time (the termination point) for the type of battery 14 (i.e., NiCd or NiMH).
- the over voltage shutdown circuit 58 will immediately turn the power switch means 34 off, preventing high voltage from appearing at the output.
- a resistor (R29) and capacitor (C5) on the input to the low voltage supply circuit 62 serve to protect the voltage regulator (VR1) of the low voltage supply circuit 62 during such a condition.
- One feature of the battery charger 10 is that the control and sensing circuitry are in series with the battery charging circuit 18 via the Microcontroller (Ul).
- Ul Microcontroller
- some other existing battery chargers utilize topologies in which charge and control components are separate. In such existing chargers, a single failure on the printed circuit board or battery could result in uncontrolled charge and, thus, overcharging.
- the battery charger 10 While not in use but “plugged in” (connected to the power source), the battery charger 10 is essentially off and not powered. There is no chance for the Microcontroller (Ul) to become damaged or latched up (i.e., due to poor power quality (voltage spikes and/or surges)) while attached to AC power supply. This is because the control circuitry and Microcontroller (Ul) receive power from the battery 14, and no battery is present. The control circuitry, including the Microcontroller (Ul), is off and disconnected from any power supply. When voltage is applied to the input power source, the battery charging circuit 18 will remain inactive and will draw only m Watts of power from the AC line input power source unless a battery 14 is connected to the battery charging circuit 18.
- the battery charging circuit 18 When the battery 14 is attached to the DC output, the battery charging circuit 18 becomes operational. Because the battery charging circuit 18 remains inactive until the battery 14 is connected, the battery charging circuit 18 is very efficient, even if the battery charger 10 is left attached to the AC line but unattended and not being utilized to charge a battery 14.
- the battery charging circuit 18 becomes active when the battery 14 is attached because the battery 14 is used as the source of power for the control circuit, including the Microcontroller (Ul).
- the battery 14 powers the low voltage supply circuit 62 which, in turn, powers the Microcontroller (Ul).
- the Microcontroller (Ul) checks and/or conditions the battery 14, via the battery voltage A/D circuit 78 and the thermistor sense circuit 74 prior to preventing or beginning charging of the battery 14. If charging begins, the Microcontroller (Ul) signals the switch driver circuit 70 to begin turning the power switch means 34 on and off to create charge current via the buck regulator (the power switch means 34, the rectifier (diode D7), the inductor (LI) and the battery 14).
- the Microcontroller (Ul) does not signal the switch driver circuit 70, the battery charging circuit 18 and the power switch means 34 remain inactive. Because on/off signals from the Microcontroller (Ul) are used to create power for the switch driver circuit 70, if the switch driver circuit 70 has no power, the power switch means 34 cannot turn on.
- Fig. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a battery charging circuit 18'. Common elements are identified by the same reference numbers '"".
- the battery charging circuit 18' is similar to the battery charging circuit 18, as described above, with the following differences:
- the battery charging circuit 18' does not include the capacitor (C12);
- the thermistor sense circuit 74' includes the TEMP SENSE #2.
- the operation of the battery charging circuit 18' is similar to the operation described above for the battery charging circuit 18.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0006503A GB2343797B (en) | 1998-08-14 | 1999-08-13 | Battery charger |
AU55605/99A AU5560599A (en) | 1998-08-14 | 1999-08-13 | Battery charger |
EP99942166A EP1025606A1 (en) | 1998-08-13 | 1999-08-13 | Battery charger |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US9652498P | 1998-08-14 | 1998-08-14 | |
US60/096,524 | 1998-08-14 | ||
US09/374,558 | 1999-08-13 | ||
US09/374,558 US6222343B1 (en) | 1998-08-14 | 1999-08-13 | Battery charger, a method for charging a battery, and a software program for operating the battery charger |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2000010218A1 true WO2000010218A1 (en) | 2000-02-24 |
Family
ID=26791786
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1999/018437 WO2000010218A1 (en) | 1998-08-13 | 1999-08-13 | Battery charger |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US6222343B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1025606A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU5560599A (en) |
GB (1) | GB2343797B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000010218A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
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US7336054B2 (en) | 1998-08-14 | 2008-02-26 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Apparatus and method of activating a microcontroller |
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EP1025606A1 (en) | 1998-08-13 | 2000-08-09 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Battery charger |
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JP3696124B2 (en) * | 2001-05-17 | 2005-09-14 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Battery voltage detection circuit |
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US6459243B1 (en) | 2001-12-14 | 2002-10-01 | Zinc Matrix Power, Inc. | Multiple plateau battery charging method and system to fully charge the first plateau |
US6943529B2 (en) | 2001-12-16 | 2005-09-13 | Zinc Matrix Power, Inc. | Battery charging system |
US6822425B2 (en) * | 2002-01-25 | 2004-11-23 | Vector Products, Inc. | High frequency battery charger and method of operating same |
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Also Published As
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AU5560599A (en) | 2000-03-06 |
US6456035B1 (en) | 2002-09-24 |
GB2343797A (en) | 2000-05-17 |
US6222343B1 (en) | 2001-04-24 |
US6605926B2 (en) | 2003-08-12 |
GB0006503D0 (en) | 2000-05-10 |
US20030052651A1 (en) | 2003-03-20 |
EP1025606A1 (en) | 2000-08-09 |
GB2343797B (en) | 2003-07-16 |
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